World News - French WWI Veteran Dies at Age 108; Rene Riffaud Said War Was 'A Massacre'

One of France's last World War I veterans, Rene Riffaud, has died at age 108, leaving just three known French survivors of the 1914-18 conflict, the National Veterans Office said Tuesday. Riffaud died overnight Tuesday, said Marie-Georges Vingadassalon, a spokeswoman for the office. Of the three surviving World War I veterans, the oldest Louis de Cazenave is 109, according to the veterans' office. Only belatedly, in 2006, did France recognize Riffaud as a veteran of the war, giving him an official veteran's card after his granddaughter brought his case to the government's attention. In a November interview with The Associated Press before attending Armistice Day commemorations in Paris, Riffaud played down his war role. "I did like everyone else, I went with the flow. I was mobilized like all other citizens," he said. "The war was a massacre," he said.... http://abcnews.go.com

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has met Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul to discuss ways of combating resurgent Taleban fighters. Mr Gates told reporters after the talks that he was concerned at Taleban activity in the Pakistan border region. But he said Pakistan was a close ally working hard to deal with the problem. Mr Gates also met commanders of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan. He made no firm commitment on whether more US troops would sent to the country. 'Come and get beaten' Addressing a joint news conference with Mr Karzai, the US defence secretary called attacks from over the border in Pakistan and al-Qaeda networks operating there "a problem". "These are issues that we clearly will have to pursue with the Pakistani government," he said. For his part, President Karzai was asked about the spring offence threatened by the Taleban. The Afghan people and the international community, he said, are ready for them when they come. ...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6265799.stm

A painful chapter in Switzerland's recent history has been re-opened after some of the country's top business leaders went on trial in Zurich. In dispute, their role in the collapse of Swissair just over five years ago. For 70 years Swissair was one of the world's most successful airlines, regarded as a proud symbol of Swiss efficiency and good business practices. When it went bankrupt in October 2001, there was shock across the country as well as grief and shame. The trial is one of the biggest of its kind ever to take place anywhere in the world. Five years ago, the planes that once carried the Swiss flag around the world were grounded, thousands of passengers were stranded and Swissair pilots were forced to hand over wads of cash to pay for fuel to get home. ...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6265289.stm

MI5 has overhauled an e-mail terror alert system for the public following detective work by privacy activists. Digital detective work by campaigners revealed that the alerting system did little to protect the identities of anyone signing up. They found that data gathered was being stored in the US leading to questions about who would have access to the list of names and e-mail addresses. The Cabinet Office denies the changes were a response to the investigation. The public e-mail alert system was announced on 9 January and will send messages to subscribers when threat levels change. The move followed the success of similar public information systems started by MI5 and the Home Office in August. Despite the announcement no sign-up form for the service was available on the MI5 website at the time of the unveiling. This was despite claims from the Home Office that the system had been under development for some time....http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6262719.stm

A type of algae found on the Brazilian coast could hold the key to a powerful new protection for women against HIV. Brazilian researchers have developed a microbe-killing gel from the algae which they hope will be used to block HIV infection. In preliminary lab tests they say it proved to be 95% efficient. The team hopes the gel - one of a new generation of microbicides seen as key to preventing HIV infection in women - will be on the market in seven years. The project is part of a worldwide research effort to develop microbicides - drug-delivery systems such as gels, rings, sponges or creams to prevent infection by HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. They are seen as a way for women to gain power by protecting themselves from HIV, particularly in impoverished nations where Aids is widespread, where rape is rampant, or, where conventional condoms are taboo, not reliably available or where men resist using them....http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6266527.stm

Somalia's main broadcasters have been allowed to resume operations a day after they were banned. The reversal follows a meeting between media executives from three radio stations and the interim government. Al-Jazeera TV can also resume work. The government had said the stations were instigating violence, amid accusations they were biased in favour of the ousted Islamist group. The government is trying to assert its control of the country. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi has told parliament that at least five African countries have promised to send peacekeeping troops to Somalia within the next two weeks. He named the countries as: Uganda; Nigeria; South Africa; Malawi and Senegal. The leaders of Ethiopia and Kenya have said they welcomed offers to send troops from African countries but did not name them. Only Uganda has so far publicly said it is prepared to send troops....http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6266311.stm